EMC police and fire departments team up for prevention efforts

Members of the New Caney Fire Department were present during the annual July 4 parade and celebration in Roman Forest.

Members of the New Caney Fire Department were present during the annual July 4 parade and celebration in Roman Forest.

Photo: STEPHANIE BUCKNER

Photo: STEPHANIE BUCKNER

Image
1of/1

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 1

Members of the New Caney Fire Department were present during the annual July 4 parade and celebration in Roman Forest.

Members of the New Caney Fire Department were present during the annual July 4 parade and celebration in Roman Forest.

Photo: STEPHANIE BUCKNER

EMC police and fire departments team up for prevention efforts

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

Fire prevention and safety are topics that are of the utmost importance for members of every community.

In East Montgomery County, various law enforcement entities and emergency officials have chosen to band together in efforts to more effectively spread the word on the topic.

Members of the Patton Village Police Department have joined forces with members of the Splendora and New Caney Fire Department to begin work with a fire prevention program.

The program, which is in the preliminary stages, also provides added safety to local residents in the form of a security survey that can be conducted upon the request of the resident.

“We will work together for not only fire prevention but for security, as well,” said Patton Village Police Chief Pete Verot, who is also a licensed insurance inspector per guidelines for Texas law enforcement.

He continued, saying, “we can not only assess the fire prevention that may be needed, but also, we can address any issues they may have in home security. It could be anything -- lighting or locks; but we can do all of this in conjunction with members of the fire department.”

Verot, who will add a Facebook post to raise awareness of the survey, stated that all anyone needs to do to receive the survey is request it.

He also points out that many insurance companies will give a 10 to 15 percent insurance discount for anyone who takes advantage of the opportunity.

“The survey comes straight from the Texas insurance board and once we conduct the survey, we fill out the form and they can take it to their insurance provider,” said Verot. “Most people don’t even know about it but they can get a reduction in their bill.”

The partnership between the departments comes directly on the heels of an assessment done over two years evaluating the overall effectiveness of the Patton Village Police Department.

In the assessment report, findings determined that partnership with other law enforcement and emergency entities is at an all time high for the department.

Verot, who admits to being “proud” of the report findings, says that these partnerships are something that the department intends to continue working on.

As part of the fire prevention work being conducted, members of the New Caney and Splendora Police Department have also collected smoke detectors for residents to use, should they request installation.

“If they request it, someone will definitely come out and install it for them,” said Verot. “Whether it’s fire or security, it’s all part of our job to make sure everyone is safe. It’s a part that I definitely enjoy.”